The Academy Is

The Academy Is Biography

The Academy Is... is an indie rock band based in Hoffman Estates, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago. They were originally known as "The Academy", but added the "Is..." in 2004, to avoid legal complications with other established bands already going under that name. They are signed to record label Fueled by Ramen. HistoryFrontman William Beckett and guitarist Michael Carden first came together in 2002, adding Adam T. Siska on bass, Adrian LaTrace Jr as a second guitarist and drummer Mike DelPrincipe before heading into the studio and recorded their self-titled debut EP, The Academy (2004), for the Chicago-based label LLR Recordings. LLR Recordings had released Beckett's solo project Remember Maine's debut album The Last Place You Look in 2002. The ep was recorded in Villa Park, IL at The Gallery of Carpet by Producer Brian Zieske. Pete Wentz from Fall Out Boy heard it and was so impressed that he convinced his label, Fueled by Ramen, to fly out and see them. The label immediately signed the band. Contrary to popular belief and what has been said in the press, a good portion of the music written on the album has actually been done by LaTrace as he was the lead guitarist and Carden was the rhythm guitarist at the time.